Ruger American and Tikka T3

[Eric B.]

Both the Ruger American and Tikka T3 are "lower cost" bolt action hunting rifles. Both have good technology.

Anybody here actually SHOOT these to form an objective opinion?

My guess is that the Tikka T3 is the better shooting of the two.

 

[YTALER]

Re: Ruger American and Tikka T3

If you want a for sure lower cost gun then get a Weatherby Vanguard.

 

[roggom]

Re: Ruger American and Tikka T3


I have a Tikka T3 in 7mm Mag, I purchased it this year and topped it with a simple Vortex Viper 3-9x40.

I have shot a Rem 700 BDL in 30-06 for years and it is still my favorite rifle, but the Tikka is just simply amazing.

With no exaggeration, I have yet to shoot a 100Y group larger than 1.8 moa, this is during workups. I have worked up 160 AB 162 Amax and various 139/140's, with H4350 and H1000. Just textbook Hodgdons loads, not special jump or seating, run the spread until I see pressure them back down. (never exceeding textbook throws)

Just today , I used a 139 SST over 57.5 H4350 as a fouler and dang if it wasn't dead center cold bore.

Most groups I shoot are about between .75 to 1 moa. I have not clovered, or same holed, but groups are very consistent.

The bolt is very smooth, when I first shot it, I kept doing a chamber check to make sure the round was fed in.

The trigger is good to go, a quick adjustment and it is down to 2.5 lbs and very crisp. The stock, BM, and mag are plastic. I dont mind as I will not be resting my rifle over a cement berm, and the rifle is about 7.5 lbs with ammo and scope.

The rifle is very light, so if you decide on a magnum cartridge you will feel some recoil, but Limb Saver makes a pad specifically for the T3 lite.

Rings, I sold my factory ones, as I purchased Burris mounts and Warne rings. I just heard to many horror stories about the aluminum rings, so I want with steel.

In summary, sub moa shooter, crisp factory 2.5 lbs trigger, and very smooth action.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Re: Ruger American and Tikka T3

I have a T3 in 22-250. It's basically a 1/2 moa gun/load combo. The bolt is super smooth. I have not handled a Ruger American but it sure looks like a Tikka.

 

[MagnumSecurity]

Re: Ruger American and Tikka T3

I can't speak about the Ruger, but my Tikka is a 3/4" gun with factory ammo. It has a good adjustable trigger. The thing I don't like about the Tikka is the safety. You can't unload the gun on safe. It's like the Browning A-Bolts, which they changed with the X-Bolt. I also discarded the rings that came with the gun. I put on an EGW pic base and Burris rings.

I called Beretta to get torque specs for my Tikka and they said fifty to fifty something inch pounds. I don't remember what the other number was, but I did as they said and my gun wouldn't shoot. I know it wasn't that tight when I took it a part after I got it new in the box. I took it apart again and back together with 40 inch pounds of torque and it was back to shooting 3/4", 3 shot groups.

 

[Vinnito1]

Re: Ruger American and Tikka T3

I bought a tikka t3 earlier this year and I'm very happy with it's out of the box performance. Sure the stock could be a little better, but it is hard to argue with repeatable .5", 5 shot groups @ 100yds with factory hornady and federal gold ammo.

Can't speak about the Ruger